The Dallas and Texas organizations announced the several changes to their broadcast, PR and media relations staff today. Texas Stars play-by-play man and media relations director, Owen Newkirk, will be moving up to the Dallas Stars organization. He will join their broadcast team as co-host for the pre-game, intermission and post-game radio shows, a job previously filled by Josh Bogorad. He will team with Bruce LeVine. Bogorad is also moving on inside the Dallas organization.

Sadly, this shirt will not be coming out.

Newkirk called the plays for two of the most successful seasons in the history of the Texas Stars, including his call of the Calder Cup winning goal this past June. His signature, "Oh, baby, what a goal!" was on heavy repeat in the highlight videos for this season.

Newkirk had much praise for the Texas Stars organization giving him the chance to make this jump.

"My experience the last two years has been nothing short of fantastic. To be able to forge the bonds with media, players, coaches, staff and fans has been exemplary. With the trying time before this when I didn't have a career in hockey, it allowed me a chance to get back in. To get back to a full-time job helped me get my first step to the NHL. I'm so indebted and grateful to Rick McLaughlin and Michael Delay for giving me the opportunity."

Jim Lites praised the system working again to advance the careers of staff members, in addition to players and coaches.

"The best way to get into the NHL is to be in the NHL. You're better off taking the worst job in the NHL than the best in the minors. Josh [Bogorad] will tell us that was a great move for him. Owen is on the same path. He's moving into Josh's place at the Ticket. He got that job because we know him."

Lites pointed out that the newly announced connection between Dallas and Texas could lead to more of these 'call-ups' in the future.

Brien Rea comes to Texas after a year off from broadcast. He had previously worked in the CHL with Denver, Odessa and the Arizona Sundogs. Rea also called the final season of the Austin IceBats franchise.

Here's the release:

The 2014 Calder Cup Champion Texas Stars, proud American Hockey League affiliate of the Dallas Stars, announced today that Brien Rea will join the organization as the team’s play-by-play announcer and Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations.

The 31-year-old Rea (RAY) is a veteran broadcaster who arrives in Cedar Park after spending the past year as an executive producer and afternoon-drive sports host in his hometown of St. Louis. Prior to that, he worked in the Central Hockey League for six years, serving as a two-time broadcaster of the league’s All-Star Game. In 2013, he was honored as the CHL’s “Best Broadcaster” and also earned the CHL’s “New Media Franchise of the Year” award as a member of the Denver Cutthroats.

A 2005 graduate of Lake Forest College in Chicago, the Stars’ new play-by-play voice has called more than 400 hockey games in his career. He is returning to Central Texas, where his career in broadcasting hockey began in 2007 in Austin. He also worked for CHL teams in Odessa, Texas, and Prescott Valley, Ariz.

Before settling into hockey, Rea’s career stretched into college basketball, minor-league baseball and arena football. He also spent time working for WGN Television.

Rea replaces Owen Newkirk, who served in the same role for the Stars for the past two seasons. Newkirk departs for the Dallas Stars organization, where he will join their broadcast team as co-host for the pre-game, intermission and post-game radio shows.

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